On Sunday of Week 11, the Falcons were at home to face the Panthers. Earlier this season, Atlanta lost 30-0 to Carolina in Week 3. The Panthers were swept by the Falcons in the season series and will go 3-7 in 2025.
Atlanta still has seven games remaining in 2025. Against the Panthers on Sunday, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. aggravated a knee injury from earlier in the year. Penix was forced to exit early, and Kirk Cousins came in to end the game. The NFL’s Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons fear Penix could suffer a season-ending knee injury. Michael Penix seeks a second opinion. If Penix can’t play for the rest of the year, Kirk Cousins will take over.
Kirk Cousins is more than ready to finish the season at QB for the Falcons
ESPN Sources: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potential season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Penix will seek a second opinion, but that’s not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Falcons used the eighth overall pick to select Michael Penix Jr. from Washington. He was one of six quarterbacks selected among the top 12 picks in his class. The NFL media was shocked to see the Falcons select Penix. Just one month before the 2024 NFL Draft, Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Cousins started the first 14 games of the 2024 season for the Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. has started the last three games and is the starter for the 2025 season. Kirk Cousins is paid more than $40 million per season as a backup for the Falcons. However, Michael Penix re-aggravated his knee injury in Week 11. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team feared Penix could miss the rest of the season.
Michael Penix has overcome a lot already:
2018 Anterior cruciate ligament tear
2019 season-ending shoulder surgery
2020 Anterior cruciate ligament tear
2025 Another season-ending knee injuryHe will come back 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BIz1qPHZtA
– B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 17, 2025
The 25-year-old QB is seeking a second medical opinion. If Penix can’t leave, Kirk Cousins could start the final seven games in 2025. The veteran quarterback has appeared in three games and started one game this season. Cousins played for Michael Penix, who suffered a bone bruise. He missed the Week 8 contest against the Dolphins. The Falcons lost that game 34-10.
Michael Penix has re-injured the same knee that forced him to miss one start earlier in the year. In college, Michael Penix Jr. tore the ACL in 2018 and 2020 in his right knee. Penix suffered a bone bruise in Week 7 to his left knee. To make matters worse, Penix again injured his left knee in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Now, Penix could miss the final seven games of the 2025 season. Not ideal for the 3-7 Falcons who are in line to miss the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
